Jalen Brunson reveals Knicks had to lose Mitchell Robinson

Jalen Brunson has broken his silence on the Knicks' decision to let Mitchell Robinson leave in free agency. Speaking at Fanatics Fest in New York on July 20, 2026, the Finals MVP admitted the team had no choice but to lose their long-time center due to NBA salary cap restrictions.

What happened?

The Knicks won their first championship since 1973 in June 2026, with Brunson leading the way. Just weeks later, Robinson signed a three-year, $47.4 million deal with the Boston Celtics. Brunson revealed the front office never seriously pursued keeping him.

'Obviously, because of the second apron, we had to lose Mitch,' Brunson said. The center had hinted at untold details about his departure, but Brunson's statement confirmed it was purely a financial decision.

Why it matters for Jalen Brunson

Brunson questioned the league's punitive salary rules, which he believes punish successful teams. 'You guys want competition, or you don't want super-teams, so what is it?' he asked. The guard took an $113 million pay cut to help build the championship roster, only to see cap rules force a key player's exit.

What comes next?

Without Robinson, the Knicks will rely on Andre Drummond to fill the void at center. The rest of the core remains intact, including Brunson, who averaged 28.4 points per game in the playoffs. He's recovering from wrist surgery but expects to return later this summer.

The team will chase a repeat title with a slightly different lineup. Brunson's honesty about the situation has given fans clarity, even if the loss of Robinson still stings.